DIRECT COMMISSION

Video of two post graduates that obtained education and officership through the Army. One is a Lawyer and the other a Dentist.

Captain Benjamin Hillner: My name is Benjamin W. Hillner, Captain, Judge Advocate. What interested me in Direct Commission in the first place was the idea that you can both an Officer and a lawyer at the same time.

Captain Leah Tervonen: Direct Commission is coming out of a professional school and then being able to go directly into the military as an Officer, then practicing whatever your field is in the Army.

Captain Benjamin Hillner: Growing up I had some exposure to the Army and then going to law school I actually met attorneys that were either still practicing in the JAG Corps or had practiced in the JAG Corps. And they all had nothing but positive things to say about it.

Captain Benjamin Hillner: I would say one of the most unique things about the JAG Corps is the variety of work that you see and the variety of legal issues that you work on. Where as in the civilian practice most young attorneys are focusing in one area of law. And that's certainly one thing that attracted me to the JAG Corps and to the Army.

Lieutenant Colonel Karen Carlisle: Captain Hillner's grown since he came in the JAG Corps. We got him in there, he started seeing clients and then he developed a lot of leadership skills.

Captain Benjamin Hillner: You are going to be better prepared and have seen more and have done more than if you had worked at a civilian law firm coming straight out of law school.

Captain Leah Tervonen: When I was in dental school it seemed like a really good time to go in to the Army as an Officer. The Army was willing to pay for my schooling. I don't have a lot of loans like my classmates do. That was a huge benefit for me. Starting in the Army as a dentist it really helps you to build your confidence, build your skills without having to worry about some of the headaches that come with civilian practice. So you can just concentrate on treating patients a concentrate on just becoming better and more skilled as a dentist. I'm twenty-eight years old, six months out of dental school and I've gotten the chance to do dentistry at a very high level and I know that I will have a much broader range of skills when I complete this program.

Captain Benjamin Hillner: You're going to face challenges and receive training that you can't get anywhere else. I think one of the most interesting things about Direct Commission is that you get to use your training and your skills to help accomplish the mission. You are a dual professional, you are a lawyer and an Officer. Each career in and of itself would be challenging enough but to do both at the same time is a very unique challenge. And I think it say a lot about the people who apply for JAG Corps and especially those who apply for Direct Commission.

Captain Leah Tervonen: When I put the uniform on, I feel very patriotic, it's very, very rewarding.

Captain Benjamin Hillner: Each day that you work in the JAG Corps you are serving your country and that is a tremendously rewarding feeling. To know that everything you do, you're helping not only the Army but you're helping your country. And that is a tremendous feeling.